Simon Weston

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Falklands War veteran Simon Weston has told ITV News there needs to be "proper care after combat" to ensure returning troops "get taken care of".

Weston, who was aboard the Sir Galahad when it was destroyed during the Falklands War, said, "There is no peace dividend in reality because the cost is still there after combat."

He warned service personnel returning with post-traumatic stress disorder can turn to drink and to drugs, saying, "There is a real issue around that because then we see people falling foul of the law."

For more information call Weston's charity Care After Combat on 0300 343 0255 or visit their website.

Falklands War veteran Simon Weston has called for a more realistic portrayal of injured service personnel to warn people of the dangers of joining the Armed Forces.

Falklands war veteran Simon Weston has called for a more realistic portrayal of injured service personnel. Credit: Press Association

The charity campaigner, who sustained serious injuries in the 1982 conflict, said soldiers usually struggled with their life-changing injuries and called for a "warts and all" presentation of the realities of war. He said:

"It needs to be more realistic, it needs to be warts and all. And the warts and all would probably scare a huge amount from ever joining, and that's no bad thing."

Mr Weston said the Ministry of Defence hand-selected wounded individuals as part of a propaganda campaign to recruit new members. He said:

"And that does skew it, because again with the MoD and the way the press are regulated by the MoD, then you only ever get to see the ones that are really coping and the majority that are injured don't that well."

The MoD responded saying they were "committed to providing the best care possible to injured personnel." In a statement, the MoD said:

"As a nation we want to mark and recognise their courage. The MoD does this in a number of ways through official and public events and working with others, including charities and the media - but at a time that is right for affected service personnel, many of whose injuries are life-changing."